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AI startups need to get their ARR numbers right – November 2025

Author/Source: Bret Taylor See the full link here

Takeaway

This article explains why artificial intelligence companies need to be very honest and clear about their Annual Recurring Revenue, or ARR, especially when talking to investors. It covers how AI services often differ from typical software subscriptions, making it tricky to report recurring income accurately.


Technical Subject Understandability

Intermediate


Analogy/Comparison

Reporting ARR for an AI startup is like running a lemonade stand where some customers buy a regular weekly subscription and others just buy one glass for a special event; you need to show investors which is which.


Why It Matters

If AI startups misrepresent their recurring revenue, they can lose trust with investors, making it harder to get funding. For example, if a company counts a one-time project as recurring, investors might find out and decide not to invest in them.


Related Terms

Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Jargon Conversion: Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) is the money a company expects to get regularly each year from its customers, usually from ongoing subscriptions or contracts.

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